Riders with the best back/home story?

[ingsve]

Eneritz Iturriagaetxebarría's story, where she was cajoled into riding because of being overweight and her family all being into it, is pretty cool too, though I admit I mostly mentioned her simply to type out her awesome name.

That reminds me of Jean Nuttli who was overweight and lost like 25kg by riding on an exercise bike and he got so good that he became a pro with some TT success.

 

[Bike Boy]

I would like to second Bartali, amazing story. Of more recent riders it could be interesting to make a movie about:

Geneviève Jeanson

The film should take particular interest in the mental aspect of feeling cold and lonely in the moment of victory and succes, and follow the transistion to a "normal" person after quitting the sport.

 

[Angliru]

I would like to second Bartali, amazing story. Of more recent riders it could be interesting to make a movie about:

Geneviève Jeanson

The film should take particular interest in the mental aspect of feeling cold and lonely in the moment of victory and succes, and follow the transistion to a "normal" person after quitting the sport.

I second the Genevieve Jeanson story. Pretty tragic one of manipulation and intimidation at least that is what I recall.

 

[L'arriviste]

Top of my head I'd say Didi Thurau, Lucho Herrera and an ensemble piece about the "French Foreign Legion" at ACBB and beyond.

 

[Sofía_]

This is a good one:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457648/

 

[Granville57]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3gEMmUrsD8

Jeezzus! That's the first time I've actually ever seen footage of Contador's crash. I knew the story, of course, but I had no idea that video existed of it.
That was truly disturbing to see his whole body in convulsions on the pavement.

That's gonna stay with me for some time. One can only imagine how close he came to permanent brain damage or death. Makes his return to the sport all the more remarkable and impressive.

But viewer beware. Wow.

 

[the delgados]

The film should take particular interest in the mental aspect of feeling cold and lonely in the moment of victory and succes, and follow the transistion to a "normal" person after quitting the sport.

Maybe the film could include an extended scene in which Jeanson endures sideways glances from specatators and race organizers as she waits for her nearest competitor to roll in twenty minutes later.

Tumbleweeds blow across the road. Crickets chirp.

And she's like, "What are you guys looking at?"

 

[Michele]

I would like to second Bartali, amazing story. Of more recent riders it could be interesting to make a movie about:

Forgot to mention that last year RAI presented a movie about Bartali, "Gino Bartali - L'intramontabile".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2xgBSpKIcI

 

[Mambo95]

Cadel Evans was almost killed as an 8 year old when he was kicked in head by a horse.

Oscar Freire was the Spanish Scalextric champion when he was a kid

Greg van Avermaet was the reserve goalkeeper for SK Beveren, who were in the Belgian first division at the time.


None of these are worthy of making a film about, just interesting titbits.

 

[El Pistolero]

Jeezzus! That's the first time I've actually ever seen footage of Contador's crash. I knew the story, of course, but I had no idea that video existed of it.
That was truly disturbing to see his whole body in convulsions on the pavement.

That's gonna stay with me for some time. One can only imagine how close he came to permanent brain damage or death. Makes his return to the sport all the more remarkable and impressive.

But viewer beware. Wow.

There also exists a video of where he passed out at another race, but I can't seem to find it anymore.

 

[Matthijs]

the obvious right now: Graeme Obree

the obvious ever: Robert(a) Millar

late career pro cyclist: Ludo Dierckxens

 

[Michele]

Never thought of Ludo but I heard some interesting stories about him; as when he was asked by his wife "me or the bike" and he choosed the 2nd.

 

[The Sheep]

the obvious right now: Graeme Obree

the obvious ever: Robert(a) Millar

late career pro cyclist: Ludo Dierckxens

Wasn't that a bull**** story? I think I saw someone post that on here

 

[Moncoutie]

Top of my head I'd say Didi Thurau, Lucho Herrera and an ensemble piece about the "French Foreign Legion" at ACBB and beyond.

ACBB is a great shout.

 

[ak-zaaf]

the obvious right now: Graeme Obree

the obvious ever: Robert(a) Millar

late career pro cyclist: Ludo Dierckxens

Or Serge Baguet who went back to being a roofer for a couple of years and became Belgian champ after his comeback.


Or Lieuwe Westra who, being a big talent, stopped cycling to go all-out at these kind of parties: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFDHpm36Trc
Nobody survives a 'gabber' party without copious amounts of speed and xtc.

 

[L'arriviste]

Nobody survives a 'gabber' party without copious amounts of speed and xtc.

... And ear plugs.

 

[jens_attacks]

Or Lieuwe Westra who, being a big talent, stopped cycling to go all-out at these kind of parties: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFDHpm36Trc
Nobody survives a 'gabber' party without copious amounts of speed and xtc.

tell him he has a new fan.and stay out of ketamine.
i heard that hoogerland too is a party animal,is it true?

 

[rxgqgxnyfz]

Do it, Scorcese.

 

[lefrancais]

here is the guy....low key...great rider/great story.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/sports/othersports/08cycling.html?_r=3&8dpc

 

[unsheath]

David Clinger, Chad Gerlach or Joe Papp would make for far more interesting character studies.

Also the late Jobe Dajka was another talented but troubled soul.